SVK: Bratislava - Blue Church

Its official name is the Church of St. Elizabeth, but just for its colour the locals know him mainly as his nickname - Blue Church. It is located on Bezručova street in the eastern part of the old town in Bratislava - which is for foreigners without a map quite interesting tangle of streets, so if you ask the path to it is definitely easier to use his nickname, and avoid lot of explaining what church is it.

It started to build in 1909 and was one of the most fascinating projects of Budapest architect Edmund Lechner. Church ranked among the first buildings that were built in the area and managed to complete it in four years. It was dedicated to Elizabeth Hungarian, who a certain part of her life spent in Bratislava. At first was part of the campus of adjacent gymnasium and served as a chapel, was separated from it.

At first glance assume by its not too usual colour for worship. The walls are covered by blue coat and glazed tile roof is also in this colour tone. On the main facade is an Italian mosaic St. Elizabeth. In the church are two coats of arms - the arms of Bratislava and the Hungarian coat of arms. Two columns line the main and side entrance. On the walls sits Romanesque windows. It is decorated with ornamental decoration - and that is the rose which is joined with the legend about St. Elizabeth.

Today, the Blue church is 102 years old. Still standing in the same place it in the morning and shade the tall trees on the street, which for years beset really grown up. Most visitors who come to see Bratislava, have it on their list of sites that simply must see and it certainly will be like this for many years.

Text and photo: Marie Koczová